Connecting your iPhone to your BMW for coding can be a frustrating experience. Many users struggle to establish a stable connection using an Ethernet adapter. This guide provides a detailed, step-by-step solution for using BimmerUtility (formerly BimmerCode) on your iPhone with a wired connection, specifically addressing common connectivity issues.
Troubleshooting BimmerUtility Connection Issues on iPhone
The following instructions are based on a successful connection achieved using an iPhone 12 Pro with the latest iOS, the BimmerUtility app, a standard RJ45 to Lightning Ethernet adapter, and an ENET cable. These steps should help resolve the common issue of the app not recognizing the adapter.
Preparing Your Car and Adapter
- Connect the Hardware: Connect the ENET cable to your car’s OBD2 port. Then, plug the RJ45 end of the Ethernet adapter into the ENET cable. Do not connect the adapter to your iPhone yet.
- Car in Auxiliary Mode: Turn your car’s ignition to the auxiliary position, allowing the car’s electronics to power on without starting the engine. Wait for the system to fully boot up.
Crucial iPhone Network Settings
Before connecting the adapter to your iPhone, this is the most critical step:
- Disable Network Connections: On your iPhone, turn off Cellular Data, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. This can be done quickly via the Control Center.
- Allow for Disconnection: Crucially, wait 30 seconds after disabling the network connections. This allows the iPhone to fully disconnect from these networks, which is essential for the Ethernet adapter to be recognized. This delay addresses the core issue of the phone not truly disconnecting immediately.
Connecting to Your iPhone and BimmerUtility
- Connect the Adapter: Now, plug the Lightning end of the Ethernet adapter into your iPhone’s Lightning port.
- Verify Ethernet Connection: In your iPhone’s Settings app, navigate to the section below your Apple ID, between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. You should see a new option labeled “Ethernet.” If it doesn’t appear, try disconnecting and reconnecting the Lightning adapter.
- Renew the Lease: Tap on “Ethernet,” then select “USB 10/100 LAN.” Tap “Renew Lease” and confirm the action on the pop-up window. This ensures a fresh network connection.
Configuring BimmerUtility for Connection
- Launch BimmerUtility: Open the BimmerUtility app on your iPhone. Do not click “Connect” yet.
- Trick the App (Important): Go to the BimmerUtility app settings (gear icon in the bottom right corner). Temporarily select an adapter type that you do not have connected.
- Initial Connection Attempt: Go back to the main screen of BimmerUtility and tap “Connect.” The app should display an error message, which is expected.
- Select the Correct Adapter: Return to the BimmerUtility settings and choose “ENET Cable” as the adapter type.
- Connect Successfully: Go back to the main BimmerUtility screen and tap “Connect.” The app should now prompt you to select your BMW model and should connect successfully.
Conclusion
By following these steps precisely, particularly the critical step of waiting after disabling network connections, you should be able to establish a reliable connection between your iPhone and your BMW using BimmerUtility and a wired Ethernet adapter. This method addresses the common connectivity problems faced by many users and provides a consistent solution for coding your BMW.
